Pig holders



April 16, 1957 w. H. DOOLEY PIG HOLDERS Filed June 24, 1955 IN VEN TOR. M/fia/rz# D0o/e Arm/my United Sttes atent PIG HOLDERS William H. Dooley, Perry, Mo.

Application June 24, 1955, Serial No. 517,759

2 Claims. (Cl. 119-103) My invention relates to pig holders and more especially to the construction of an improved type of holder adapted to hold a small pig for the performance of the usual operation conducted within a few weeks after the birth of the pig.

An object of my invention is to provide such a pig holder which will hold the pig against movement and which at the same time will permit ready access to the part of the animal which is to receive the attention of the farmer or veterinarian.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pig holder whereby the pig may be inserted in the same and as the pig is so placed the device automatically locks the pig therein where he will so remain until released by the operator.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such a holder which Will automatically raise the hind legs of the pig and keep them in such raised position until the operation is completed.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the specification to follow and from an examination of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a top view in part perspective of the complete pig holder of my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view in part perspective of the automatic retaining catch employed in the pig holder of my invention; and Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the retaining ring or hoop employed in the pig holder of my invention.

It is well known that young pigs must of necessity have an operation performed upon them within a few weeks after their birth, unless it is desired that the pig be raised to be of later use as a boar for breeding purposes. In the performance of this operation it is necessary that the rear legs of the pig be spread apart and raised from their normal walking position. Methods heretofore employed have been without the benefit of a suitable device to hold the pig, usually only the hands of a helper with the assistance of ropes or straps have been the device or instrumentality employed.

In Fig. 1 the pig holder of my invention is shown in top and part perspective view, and consists of a base 1 to which is secured a bag or hood 2, the small end of the hood has an opening 2a. Aligned with the opening of hood 2 is provided longitudinally extending a wire or rod framework 3 having at one end an upturned and forwardly extending hoop 3a, and at the other end thereof a cross member 3b. The longitudinally extending parts of framework 3 are retained within guides 4, the guides 4 being secured to base 1. Suflicient clearance is provided between the inside of the guides 4' and framework 3 so that framework 3 will slide easily along the length of travel desired. Also secured to base 1 is provided a ratchet bar 5 by means of a pivot and stand 6, the ratchet section of the "ice ratchet bar 5 being normally forced toward the base 1 because of a spring 7 placed between the extreme end of the bar 5 and base 1 and forcing the inclined teeth of the ratchet bar 5 into retaining engagement with the cross member 3b of frame-work 3. This retaining mechanism is more clearly shown in Fig. 2, Where the ratchet teeth are designated by the reference numeral 5a, the ratchet bar 5 and the frame-work 3 being shown in perspective. Fig. 3 shows a modification of the hoop section 3a of Fig. 1, this hoop being without recesses for the legs of the pig as is shown in Fig. l, in either event the hoop 3a extends upward and forward.

In operation of the device the head of the pig is inserted in the large opening or mouth of hood 2, the nose or snout of the pig being near the small opening 2a of the hood 2 aifording adequate ventilation for the animal to breathe. The frame-work 3 is now pushed forward, the hoop section 3a being against the rear end of the pig and the top edge of hoop section 3a extending up and over the rear end of the animal. The size of hoop section 3a is such as to accommodate the usual size of the pig at the time the customary operation is usually made, small enough to prevent the hind legs from passing through, and because placed at a forward angle tends to raise the legs or to lower the legs according to the side contour of hoop section 3a, but in either event to spread the legs to the sides and forward of the animal. The cross bar 317 engages with the teeth of ratchet bar 5 and the frame-work 3 is held in position until the operator desires to release the pig, at which time the operator raises the bar 5 and pulls the frame-work 3 from the rear end of the pig.

It is understood that many modifications of the structure shown in the drawings is possible without departing from the spirit of my invention. The hood 2 is normally made of canvas sewed around a hoop for support, and it is obvious that it could be a basket made of wire or any other material, so long as it prevents any considerable movement of the head of the animal. What I claim as my invention is:

1. A pig holder comprising in combination a base, a basket secured to said base, said basket having a mouth, a frame-work extending longitudinally along said base and said frame-work having an upright section at one end thereof, said upright section taking the form of a loop the principal plane of which is set at an angle toward said basket of less than degrees with respect to the principal plane of said base, guides secured to said base through which said frame-work is free to slide, and means to lock the longitudinal position of said frame-work at various desired positions selectively as desired.

2. A pig holder comprising in combination a base, a basket secured to said base, said basket having a mouth, a frame-Work extending longitudinally along said base, said frame-work secured in guides permitting only longitudinal movement thereof, said frame-work having an upright section at one end thereof, said upright section taking the form of a loop the principal plane of which is set at an angle toward said basket of less than 90 degrees with respect to the principal plane of said base, and means for locking said frame-work in any of several positions affording a plurality of separations longitudinally between said mouth of said basket and said upright section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,498,051 Shipley Feb. 21, 1950 

